News

November 2016

November reflections – The National Advocacy Conference and a recap of last year’s NDTi Advocacy Survey

It’s a month since many of us came together at the Advocacy Awards and National Advocacy Conference 2016. Congratulations again to all those individuals and organisations who were nominated for, or won awards! Both events were a fantastic opportunity to connect, reflect, learn, share and celebrate the power and impact of independent advocacy. Read More…

Non Instructed Advocacy and the MCA – what you need to know for QPM

During the course of undertaking Advocacy Quality Performance Mark assessments, we review an organisation’s policies and procedures to help us assess whether that organisation meets QPM standards. A number of organisations are being required to update policies to show that the work that they do with people who lack the mental capacity to make certain decisions about how their advocate works with them, are working in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. We thought we’d let you know what assessors are looking for to help you prepare your QPM submissions. Read More…

OPAAL Launches New Films for Older People’s Cancer Voices Project

OPAAL has recently launched 2 new films as part of its Department of Health funded, Older People’s Cancer Voices project. Read More…

September 2016

Statutory regulation of Advocacy in Wales – what will be the “Unintended Consequences”

There have been many changes to the advocacy landscape in the UK over recent years – many of them welcome – but not all have had the positive impact we were hoping for. This is the next big change for the sector – the regulation and inspection of Independent Professional Advocacy in Wales. But will it result in the delivery of better advocacy to those who need it? Read More

New materials from the British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR)

Gail recently attended the launch of some excellent new materials developed by BIHR to support people and their advocates to effectively uphold their human rights in health and social care settings.

Be a force for change at this year’s Advocacy National Conference

We’re pleased to announce that Gail Petty will be speaking at this year’s national event, which is in its fourth year of driving change in the Advocacy sector, will be held at the NEC in Birmingham on Oct 13th 2016.

As well as joining Gail’s workshops on “how to do QPM” and “Demonstrating the Impact of Independent Advocacy” we will be introducing the new Advocacy Outcomes Framework.

The event will also offer you the opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the country and hear inspirational speakers who can really help develop your practice.

Just 2 more days to enter this year Advocacy Awards

Join us in celebrating the fantastic achievements and outstanding people that contribute to Advocacy best practice. This year’s awards are open to anyone contributing to the field of Independent Advocacy including individuals, organisations, informal groups and professionals.

There are 5 categories people and organisations can be nominated in:

Outstanding advocate

Outstanding service

Best co-production

Outstanding contribution to equality and diversity

Best support of advocacy

From the 5 category winners, one will receive the overall ‘Golden Advocacy Award’ of the year.

November 2015

Involved in Advocacy? Have your say!

NDTi believes that high quality independent advocacy is one of the key mechanisms enabling people to have their voices heard and understood, their rights upheld, increased choice and control in their lives and ultimately a better life.

During the course of our work hosting the Advocacy QPM, we meet lots of advocates, organisations and others who talk to us about what it’s like working in the advocacy sector and ask us what more NDTi and others are doing to support the independent advocacy sector to thrive.

We’ve created a survey so we can collate opinions about what the key issues are in the sector as well as what some of the solutions might be. We understand that the issues are complex and varied and we would like to hear your views.

Please take 10 minutes to complete our survey:

Individual responses will be kept confidential within the NDTi. Any comments referred to in any reports will be anonymised. We will share summarised findings from this survey publicly to help inform thinking about how we can all work together to best support the sector to continue to develop and flourish.

September 2015

Former trustees of Action for Advocacy launch development fund for small advocacy providers working with older people with complex requirements

The former Trustees of Action for Advocacy (A4A) have made a fund available to support small providers of independent advocacy that work with older people with complex needs (such as dementia, learning disabilities and mental health conditions), who can often miss out on the valuable support that advocacy can provide. For more information about about the fund and details about how you organisation can apply for a grant click here

The fund totals £5,700. Grants are available to a maximum of £1,500 per organisation. Applications should be submitted by Thursday 19th November 2015 and will be assessed by a panel during November and December. All organisations submitting an application will be contacted by 19th December 2015.

May 2015

NDTi and Inclusion North have been working together to develop accessible materials exploring the key elements of the newly revised Mental Health Act Code of Practice.

The materials are aimed at people with learning disabilities and/or autism and those with other communication or cultural requirements who may be subject to the Mental Health Act. The materials set out people’s rights, explain key issues and terminology and aim to empower people.

A briefing event to help those affected by the Mental Health Act, their families and supporters understand their rights is being held between 12pm and 3pm on 27th May at the Friends House, 173-177 Euston Road, London. To find out more and book your place, please download the leaflet below.